US 6,669,426 B1 · Tree fastener

Abstract

A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A fastener comprising:

a shank, having an axis, extending from a base;
a first set of wings extending outward from said shank a first distance from said axis, said first set of wings extending from a first axially extending portion of said shank;
a second set of wings extending outward from said shank a second distance from said axis, said second set of wings extending from a second axially extending portion of said shank;
wherein said first distance being greater than said second distance and adjacent wings within each of said first and second axially extending portions being spaced a distance apart.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tree fastener

Life of this patent

Tree fastener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21